Reclamation Releases Environmental Documents for Transfer of Up to 1,500 Acre-Feet of Replacement Water from Patterson Irrigation District to Westlands Water District

Media Contact: Louis Moore, 916-978-5100

For Release: January 22, 2014

FRESNO, Calif. -- The Bureau of Reclamation has released environmental documents for public review for the transfer of up to 1,500 acre-feet of replacement water from Patterson Irrigation District to Westlands Water District.

Reclamation proposes to approve PID’s transfer of up to 1,500 acre-feet of its replacement water to WWD for the remainder of the 2013 contract water year. WWD would take delivery of 1,500 acre-feet no later than February 28, 2014.

The Draft Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact were prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and are available online at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_projdetails.cfm?Project_ID=16221. If you encounter problems accessing the document online, please call 916-978-5100 or e-mail publicaffairs@usbr.gov.

Please email comments to Ben Lawrence, Bureau of Reclamation, at blawrence@usbr.gov. Written comments may also be mailed to Lawrence, Bureau of Reclamation, 1243 N Street, Fresno, CA 93721 or faxed to 559-487-5397.

Comments are due by February 5, 2014. For additional information or to request a copy of the Draft EA/FONSI, please contact Lawrence at 559-487-5039 (TTY 800-735-2929). Copies of the Draft EA/FONSI may also be viewed at Reclamation’s Fresno office at the above address.

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Reclamation is the largest wholesale water supplier and the second largest producer of hydroelectric power in the United States, with operations and facilities in the 17 Western States. Its facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation, and fish and wildlife benefits. Visit our website at www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR.